Polishing and wet sanding



April 15, 1941. J, N BAKER E-AL 2,238,096

POLISHING AND WET SANDING Filed Aug. 16. 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 41 J. N. BAKER ET AL vPOLISHING AND WET SANDING April 15, 1941.

Filed Aug. 16. 1939 8 SheetS-Sheet 2 Enum 3mm/tou Jzymes nelson Bellier Gleim GWde @5MG-lr.

April 15 1941- J. N. BAKER ETAL 2,238,096

POLISHING AND WET SANDING April 15 1941 J. Nv. BAKER E-rAL 2,238,096

IHN

@AWE n wi E l @T7165 615011 Bal'mw T Glenn awizhide,

mg Qm+\ April 15, 1941- J. N. BAKER Erm. 2,238,096

POLISHING AND WET SANDING Filed Aug. 16. 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 i SMQ/Mg@ James nelson'Balfer* W- d Glenn GWZhicZe April 15, 1941- J. N. BAKER ETAL 2,238,096

POLISHING AND WET SANDING Filed Aug. 16. 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet S 12,@ ,1 LZ! w ii W4' J7 'gli' lla' I DZ' v i 1Z0 I Il Av1-f5 A'. E "Z '25 "l April 15, 1941. J. N, BAKER ErAL 2,238,096

POLISHING AND WET SANDING 1 Filed Aug. 16. 1939 8 Sheets-*Sheet 7 mgm f MW April 15, 1941. J. N. BAKER rs1-AL.

POLISHING AND WET SANDING Filed Aug 16. 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 W qm@ ,L

.sn Bajfcr Glem? C Wz ide mwum Patented Apr. 15, 1941 POLISHING AND WET SANDING James Nelson Baker and Glenn C. Wilhlde, Towson, Md., assignors to The Black and Decker Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Maryland Application August 16, 1939, Serial No. 290,372

(Cl. ill-39) 16 Claims.

The present invention is an improvement on the apparatus shown in United States Patent No. 1,931,893, to the assignee of the present application. Both the prior patent and the present inventioni relate to apparatus for polishing and sanding by means of a rotary protecting pad or sanding disc supported on and operated by a manually portable hand controlled power driven polishing tool. In the polishing operation performed by such tool, it is customary to use a liquid polish which generally contains a wax, a volatile-liquid of a solvent nature and a small quantity of abrasive, the exact nature of the poli-sh being immaterial to the present invention, and by the substitution of a sariding disc and pad, the apparatus may be used for sanding, the present construction being particularly adapted for use in polishing with a polishing liquid and for wet sanding.

As pointed out in the previous patent above cited, it is desirable in polishing or wet sanding by means of a power driven rotary pad or disc, the surface of which is contacted with and moved by rotation and lateral motion over the surface being polished that the liquid employed be fed to the central area of the operative face of the pad or disc. To this end the tool described in said patent is provided with means for feeding liquid polish from a cup or pump carried ort the tool to the center of the polishing pad.

The present invention, though capable of more general application, has particular relation to apparatus for use in automotive and other plants where the product is treated in large quantities. The polish under these circumstances is dispensed from a tank of relatively large dimensions which is mounted on a separate support. Such tanks rare, according to .the practice of this invention maintained under a slight pressure, several polishing tools being conveniently supplied from one tank, the pressure being utilized to force the polish through the line and through flexible tu'bes to the respective tools, or in case of wet sanding, water is fed from the main water supply, the pressure being throttled down to a pressure suitable to this purpose. i

The tools to be described are so designed that the polish or water can be fed through the spindle of the tool from such outside sources as above deiined, the invention having relation particularly to supply and control means so devised and arranged that the flow of polish or water and the power by which the pad or disc is rotated can be controlled by the operator to suit the requirements of the work to be done, the apparatus of numerical order of the gures having no bearing on the relative importance of the various apparatus disclosed.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a polishing or sanding tool, portions of the view being broken away t0 show the passage for feeding the liquid to the center of the pad or disc and the members controlling the same, such broken away portions being shown in section on a plane of the axis of the tool.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the pad and spindle including the at circular nut for hol-ding the disc in position.

Fig. 3 is a. top plan view of a fragmentary nature showing the main handle of the tool and the portion of the tool to the right of the broken lines at the center of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the portion of the tool to -the left of this broken line at the center of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showing another form of a tool for the same purposes, this being a fragmentary elevation broken away to show the spindle and closely related parts in section on a longitudinal plane of the motor and spindle axis.

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the opposite end of .the casing adjacent the handle showing a corner of the field casing and the control lever in elevation and the valve in section on the plane of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation on a reduced scale of the tool shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the handle being broken away for convenience of illustration.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the handle and valve casing and a fragment of the outer casing near the handle, the forward portion of the tool being broken away on a line extending to the rear of the field casing.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevation showing a further modification which resembles the construction in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, in that the valve is adjacent the handle, the figure being broken away at the top to show the valve and casing in section on a longitudinal plane of the axis of the tool.

Fig. is a top plan view of the construction of Fig. 9 particularly the valve casing and control levers, the rear end of the handle and forward portion of the field casing and the parts forwardly of the eld casing being removed.

Fig. l1 is a fragmentary elevation partly in section on a longitudinal plane of the tool axis, showing a further modiiied form of the tool in which this control valve is adjacent the spindle being intended for operation by a control lever adjacent the handle, the View being readable in combination with Fig. 3.

Fig. l2 is a top plan of the same, certain portions being broken away disclosing underlying portions for convenience of illustration Fig. 13 is a side elevation of a still further modied form of polishing and/or wet sanding tool shown on a reduced scale.

Fig. 14 is a similar elevation of the handle with the front section removed.

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the handle drawn to a scale similar to the scale of Fig. 14, the portion of the figure at the left being in the nature of a fragmentary section through the portion of the field casing and the switch housing at the forward end of the handle, the section being taken on a longitudinal plane of the tool axis including the axis of the spindlel and the axis of the motor.

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of the handle, portions of the handle being broken away to show a section on the line II-II in Fig. 15, including the control valve and lever.

Referring to .the drawings by numerals each of which is used to indicate the same or similar parts in the diierent gures, and having reference to the different forms of the tool illustrated in the numerical order of the gure numbers, the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4 comprises, a iield casing I, gear casing 2, spindle 3, and handle and switch housing 4. The spindle 3 is driven by gears, not shown, but to be located in th'e gear casing 2, which gears are in turn driven from the motor in the casing I.

'Ihe spindle 3 is at right angles to the motor axis and is made hollow to admit the discharge pipe 5 which is shown in broken lines within the spindle and in full lines at the top where it is broken away for convenience of illustration.

The discharge pipe 5 ts closely within the hollow 5' within the spindle 3 and it does not rotate. At its upper end the pipe 5 is closely engaged within a bushing 8 which is seated in a cap I which is secured to the top of the gear casing 2 by screws 1'. This bushing 8 is held in position by a screw plug 9 in the top center of the cap 1 which screw plug immediately overlies the bushing 8 and has at the bottom a central chamber I" and is chambered or cut away peripherally to form a peripheral chamber I0 which is connected to the central chamber 1" by radial passages I0.

The illustration also includes a gland II containing a bronze bushing I2. The nut or gland I I threaded on the spindle 3 holds the ball bearing I4 in position, locked against the upper end of the spacing sleeve 3 which rests on a spindle gear, not shown, in casing 2. The sleeve I2 and the lip II' constitute a labyrinth seal to prevent the polish from getting down to the ball bearing.

Above and surrounding the gland I I, the drawings show, a chamber I5 which, in case -there is any tendency for the liquid to back up between the pipe 5 and the wall of passage 5' in the spindle 3, it can come out by way of the chamber I5 and the passages I6 indicated in dotted illnes in Fig. 4.

Fig. l shows a valve controlled passage I1 leading from a valve chamber I8 at the right to the peripheral chamber I0 beneath the nut or plug 9, and from the peripheral chamber or passage I0 radial passages I Il and the central chamber 1" lead to the pipe 5.

The valve passage II, lhas at its end opposite to the chamber I0, leading from the valve chamber I8 to passage Il, a valve seat Il controlled by a valve I9. This Valve cooperates with the seat Il', the valve I9 being of a conical shape to fit the seat and cylindrical as to its rear shoulder 22 to t and slide in the chamber I8. On the side of the valve opposite from the passage II is a stem 20 which slides in a guide plug 2| threaded into the chamber I8 at its outer end and closing the same. Between the rear shoulder 22 on the valve I9 and the plug 2| is a rubber packing sleeve and spring 24 which tends to maintain the valve normally closed. While the term rubber has been used for convenience, the preferred composition for the element 241s a resilient, acid proof compound or plastic, a satisfactory material for this purpose being sold under the trade name Neophrane.

The valve I9 is controlled and operated in opposition to the spring 24 by a tension rod 26 pivotally connected to the rear end of the stem 2U in accordance with the details shown and in accordance with said illustration, extending through a passageK 21, shown as formed in the projection 28 on the top of the eld casing I, this rod 21 at its rear end is secured to a sliding block 29 which slides in a guide bushing 30 parallel to the motor axis the bearing being, in tum, mounted in a guard member 3l secured to the top side of the iield casing I near the rear end of the same adjacent Athe handle 4 and within easy thumb or finger reach of the hand holding the han-die 4.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the sliding block 29 carries at its rear end adjacent the handle, a pivotally mounted control lever 32 which, in the form shown, is mounted to swing at right angles to the spindle axis, i. e., the axis of the spindle 3. The lever 32 terminates at its rear end in a finger pressure plate 32' which is substantially in a radial plane of the spindle 3, and adjacent the pivot, the lever 32 is provided on each side with rockers 33 bearing on a rear end surface 34 of the guard 3|.

The handle 4 in the form of the invention shown is formed at its forward end with a switch housing 35 surrounding which is a flange 36 which fits the end of the eld casing I being secured by means of bolts 31. A switch plate 38 is shown as secured to the top of the forward end of the handle, the same being provided with a switch operating button 39 which is immediately adjacent the lever 32, and both the lever 32 and the button 39 are within easy reach of the lingers or thumb of the hand holding the grip 4 and can be operated without release or change of the operators grip on the tool, such operation being performed by the fingers or thumb of the hand holding the handle and guiding the tool.

As best shown in Fig. 4 the valve casing I8 is connected by a passage 40 in Athe cap I with a fitting 4I to which is attached a flexible tube or pipe 42 which may be connected to a tank holding liquid polish under pressure or to a pressure reducing valve which is, in turn, connected to the water main;

The manner of operating the tool and controlling the liquid supply to the center of the pad or sanding disc 43 will be understood by those skilled in the art, the important point being the easy and convenient control from the tool handle of the liquid supply from anoutslde source under pressure to a delivery by way of the center of the spindle, the control being easily accomplished by the linger or thumb which operates the switch, the same being a finger of the hand holding the handle 4. The tool is thus adapted to be stopped and started and the liquid supply to the center of the pad or sanding disc frm an outside source under pressure is conveniently controlled without changing the grip and Without any interference with the manual control and operation of the tool.

Having reference now to the form of the tool shown in Figs. 5, 6, 'I and 8, in this, as in the previous instance, there is a field casing I. gear casing 2, hollow spindle 3, handle 4, pipe within the hollow 5' in the spindle concentric with the axis as in the previous instance and a cap 1 secured to the top of the gear casing by vscrews 1. In this instance, as in the previous instance, there is a chamber beneath the screw plug 5I and the upper end of the pipe 5 is seated in a second screw plug 52, but this construction differs from the previous one in that the plug 52 isV spaced downwardly below plug 5I to provide chamber 5U. The chamber 50 is, in this instance, connected by a passage 53 with a pipe fitting 54 to which is connected a supply pipe 55 which leads rearwardly through a hole 56 in the top of the field casing substantially parallel to the motor axis, the pipe being connected at the rear to a valve casing 51 adjacent the tool handle 4.

This valve casing 51 is shown in section in Fig. 6 wherein the entire valve mechanism controlling the feeding of liquid by Way of the pipe 55 is fully disclosed. The valve 58 is substantially conical as in the illustration Fig. 1 but in this instance it is provided with a washer 59 bearing on a rear shoulder 59' and engaged by a rubber sleeve 60 which is preferably of the Neophrane composition already referred to. This sleeve is shouldered at its ends at 60' and between the shoulders inthe form of the invention shown. it is encircled by a coiled metal spring 6l. The sleeve 60 serves both as a spring and as packing. As a spring it cooperates with the spring 6|. The rear end of the valve casing 5l is closed by a screw plug 62 which provides a guide 63 for the valve stem 63', and the plug 62 is further chambered to receive and contain a packing gland 64 with soft packing 64'.

The valve stem 53 is provided at its rear end with a lhead shown as a hanged nut 65 which is engaged from the inside, i. e., toward the valve by the upwardly disposed arm 66 of a bell crank lever 61 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 68 which extends through the ears B9 formed on the valve casing 51.

The other arrn of the bell crank lever 61 indicated by reference character 10 extends downminating in a hand pressure plate 1I which overlies the handle 4 adjacent the switch button 12, it being noted that the lever arm 10 is bifurcated as best shown in plan in Fig. 8, straddling the switch button 12, the plate Il being located rearwardly of the button and secured to both outer ends of the arm 10.

wardly and rearwardly over the handle 4, ter- It will thus be apparent that the gripping plate or hand pressure plate 1| immediately overlies the handle or hand grip 4, and is conveniently operated by the hand which controls the han die whereby the tool is directed, the pressure plate 1I being capable of operation without change or interference with the manual control of the tool and further that it is most conveniently located relatively to the switch button 12 which is in the center line of the handle near the axis or pivot.

When the pressure plate 1| is pressed toward the handle 4, the upright arm 66 of the bell crank lever 61 bears against the under side or left side of the flange of the nut 65 moving the valve 58 to the right against the pressure of. the springs 60 and 6I admitting the liquid to the pipe 55 by which it is fed to the pipe 5 in the center of the spindle 3 being thus delivered to the center of the polishing pad 13 for which a sanding pad or disc may be substituted. It will also be noted that these tools are provided with handle 14 projecting laterally from the gear casing adjacent the upper end of the spindle, and, it may also be of interest that there is a chamber 15 overlying the packing gland 16 at the top of the spindle which serves to protect the ball thrust and rotary bearing 11 from the liquid and likewise prevent the liquid from entering the gear casing 2. Fig. 5 shows the gears 18 and 19 by which the spindle 3 is driven from the motor.

In case the liquid tends to back up between the tube 5 and spindle 3, the surplus liquid will` accumulate in the chamber 15 being discharged therefrom by way of the passage 15.

The valve chamber 51' is connected by fitting and flexible tube BI to any supply of liquid under pressure as a tank of polishing fluid or the water main in which instance a reducing valve or regulating valve is generally employed.

In operation the liquid, under pressure, is delivered to the center of the polishing pad or wet sanding disc from an outside supply under pressure which is under the immediate control of the hand of the operator which engages the handle 4 being operated by the fingers in connection with and 1f desired simultaneously with the switch button 12 which controls the operation of the motor and spindle, being accomplished without any interference with the direction and support of the tool by the hand holding the handle 4. It will also be noted that the cable 82 carrying the wires which feed the energizing current to the motor enter the handle at the rear and that the liquid supply tube 3| being also adjacent the handle, these flexible connections do not in any way interfere with the direction and/or control of the polishing tool and particularly the pad 13, for which a sand ing disc may be substituted, and it is of particular importance that the flexible pipe and cable do not get in the Way of the pad or disc in operation.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate still another form of control. In this instance there is a control valve casing 85 which is located immediately adjacent the handle 4 and switch button B6 which is at v the forward end of the handle and mounted in switch cover plate 86'. The valve casing B5 is connected by a tube or pipe B1 with a tube like or equivalent to the tube 5, previously described, as extending downwardly through the center part of the spindle 3, the form of the tool as to the forward end as illustrated in Fig. 5 -being usable in combination with the valve control now being described and the pipe 81 serving the same function as the pipe 55 in Fig. 6.

In the form of valve control shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the valve proper 88, is of the type and arrangement in which the valve member` 88 is pressed against its seat by the uid supply pressure, the uid being led to the valve chamber 89 by means of a pipe 90 which may lead from a reducing valve connected to the water main or from a tank of polishing uid under pressure. The valve 88 which is mounted in a plug 85 threaded into the casing 85 is provided with a stem 9| which is surrounded by a rubber or similar spring 92 and a coil spring 93 which bears against a sliding block 94 which slides in the plug 85' in the direction of the valve stem and is threaded into the block at 95. Rubber 92 also serves as packing,

When the valve is open, the liquid enters by way of the pipe 90 into chamber 89 and leaves chamber 89 by way of the seat 96 entering passage 91 at the front of the valve which is connected as illustrated to the pipe 81, which leads to pipe 5 in the spindle as does pipe 55 in Fig. 5.

The valve is operated by either of two levers 98 pivoted at the top and bottom at 99 and 99 to the switch housing on each side of the switch button 88 as best illustrated in Fig. 9.

In this connection, it should be noted that the valve 88 opens to the left in Fig. 9 and that the levers 98 are each provided at the top with a rigidly attached plate |00, which is normally horizontal, i. e., at. right angles to the spindle or otherwise defined as parallel to the plane of Fig. 10. These plates swing about the pivots 99 and are provided each of them with an upright lug adapted to engage the right hand end of the sliding block 94 as seen in these figures. Thus when the levers 98, or either of them is pressed toward the handle 4, the corresponding plates |00 rotate about the pivot 99 moving the corresponding lugs |0| from the position as shown which is the closed position of the valve whereby the springs 92 and 93 are compressed and the valve is moved from its seat or opened. When the operating levers 98 are released, the valve is closed in response to the spring pressure as in the other forms of the invention illustrated.

The levers 98, and the switch button 85 which controls the operation of the motor and of the polishing pad or sanding disc being both at the forward end of the handle 94 and the levers 98 being on the opposite sides of button 86, the levers 98 and button are easily operated by a. finger or thumb of the hand moving the handle so that the supply ox liquid polish or water, for the polishing and wet sanding operation respec- -tively is easily controlled without change of grip or interference with the direction and control of the tool, and further the valve 85, 88 being immediately adjacent the grip, the supply pipe 90 is conveniently connected at this point so that it is led to the tool adjacent the rear end of the casing and does not in any way interfere with the polishing or grinding operation as by coming in contact with the rotating member by which the tube which is essentially a flexible tube would be injured and would interfere with the polishing or wet sanding operation.

The advantages claimed for this tool may be considered similar to and substantially identical with those claimed for the tool in Figs. to 8, except that the valve 88 opening against the supply pressure has the advantage that it closes more promptly with less spring pressure and has less tendency to leak, and the loss of tension of the spring such as might occur by long use does not interfere with the satisfactory closing of the valve so that absence of leakage is a permanent feature.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate the head or spindle end of still another alternative construction in which the valve is adjacent the spindle and the control is operated from the handle, hence for the purposes of this disclosure the portion of Fig. l to the right of the broken line at the center directly under the inscription Fig. 1, may be regarded as continuous with Fig. 11, or the finger lever valve control may be placed on any hand grip operated tool.

This construction comprises a field casing I, and gear casing 2, at the forward end of the eld casing, the handle 4, Fig. 1, being at the opposite end of the casing. The spindle, in this instance, indicated by reference character |03 is hollow and mounted in ball thrust and rotary bearings |04, the lower bearing not being shown and for the purposes of the present construction the pipe indicated as 5 in Fig. 1 is preferably omitted.

In accordance with the present construction, there is a cover plate |05 secured to the gear casing by screws |06 and overlying the cover plate is a cap |01 secured by the same screws.

'Ihe hollow or passage |03' in the spindle is concentric with the axis and this hollow is open at the top in a gland chamber |08 which surrounds the upper end of the spindle, this gland chamber |08 is formed in part in a boss |09, formed in the top wall of the gear casing 2 and in part in the cover plate |05 and said chamber |08 is lined with a thin sheet |08' which may be of rubber or other soft material or Neophrane and the chamber |08 further contains two packing rings or gaskets |08', |08" which, as shown, are formed with annular grooves I0, which, when filled with liquid under pressure, may serve to expand the gaskets against the spindle and also against the outer wall of the chamber |08. The construction shown also includes a gasket between the top surface of the gear casing and the cover plate |05, and there is a valve passage or port ||2 extending upwardly from the chamber |08 and covered by the diaphragm 4 which is preferably in the form of a metallic disc.

The plan Fig. 12 shows concentric annular at surfaces ||5 and I5' at the top of the cover plate |05, lsurrounding the port ||2, these surfaces are contacted by the diaphragm ||4. The drawing Fig. 11 shows in section and the Fig. 12 shows in plan a disc ||6 mounted beneath cap |01 and bored diametrically in the direction of the tension rod 26 to correspond with Fig. 1, the bore to be disposed toward the control lever or toward whichever handle the control may be intended to cooperate with, as above described.

The bore H6' in disc ||8 contains a sliding valve rod ||1 to the forward left hand end of which is secured a cap or head ||8 against which the spring ||9 is compressed. The head ||8 is secured by screw ||8'. The other end of the valve rod ||1 is provided with head |20 to which a pull rod or tension member 26 is secured by means of the screw |2| or in any suitable manner.

It may be noted at this point that the cap |01 may be utilized as a second hand grip or the hand grip may be at the side as shown in Fig. 7 in this or any other form of the invention. The same type of grip is illustrated in Fig. 13.

The flexible diaphragm ||4 is held in contact with the central seat portion immediately surrounding the port ||2 by means of a block or valve rod I|`|, the button |22 being seated in a transverse hole |22 in the disc ||0.

It may be noted that the top of the button |22 is inclined and that the valve rod is notched as to its lower surface at |24, the notch extending in the normal position of the valve'as illustrated which is the closed position, beyond the head |22 to theleft the notch being of increasing height or depth to the left oi.' the button |22. 'I'his position is the normal or closed position of the valve and the valve rod or stem II'I, in which position the parts are held by the spring I|3 and from vbutton |22 which is controlled by means of the which position said parts are moved by compression of spring IIB by means of the tension rod 25.

When the valve rod |'I is moved to the right as by the operation of a nger lever like 32 in Fig. 1, the notch |24 the top wall |24' oi which is inclined downwardly to the right hand wall of the button |22, the deeper or higher portion of the notch |24 comes into registration with the button |22 relea\sing the button |22 and permitting said button t6 rise and likewise permitting a corresponding elevation of the center portion of the flexible diaphragm ||4.

In this connection it should be noted that the polishing liquid or fluid, or water or the like, for use in wet sanding is introduced into the chamber |I5" which surrounds the inner valve seat ||5' being led thereto by way of passage |25 to which the tting |26 is connected and to which tting, a ilexible pipe |21 leading to a tank of liquid polish under pressure or to a water main by way of a reducing valve, would be connected.

The pressure thus generated at the center of the diaphragm |I4 lifts the latter from the seat ||5 permitting the liquid to iow through the port I2 into the central passage |03' of the spindle |03 which leads downwardly and discharges at the center of the polishing pad or sanding disc indicated in a general Way in Fig. 2 at 43.

While the control for this valve has been described in connection with the right hand end of Fig. l beyond the broken line, it is true that in all these'forms the control mechanism can be located at other points and in some cases it may be regarded as feasible to place it on a handle diilerently located from the handle 4.

It will be noted 'that there is no inner tube or pipe, the liquid being conducted through the passage I03' immediately inside and coaxial with the spindle and that the liquid is sealed off from the bearing and gear casing by a type oi gland not previously disclosed and that there is no arrangement for discharging the liquid from the packing chamber or elsewhere at the top of the spindle in case there is a stoppage. or, for any reason, the liquid tends to back up at this point. It is found, however, that with the packing illustrated and described at the top of the spindle, such a ireeoutlet is unnecessary.

This construction has the advantages of being in some ways simple and easy to construct. and less subject to failure under certain circumstances, and it has the advantage that there is no discharge of the liquid around the head of the tool, also that there is little resistance to the operation oi the valve and it is easily operated because it does not open or close directly against the supply pressure and very slight spring tension is necessary.

Figs. 13, 14, 15- and 16 are at present regarded as illustrating the preferred form o! control for an outside supply of liquid under pressure to a polishing or wet sanding tool, the same being adapted like those previously disclosed for op.. eration in connection with the electrical control and without interference in any way with the manual support control and direction oi the tool. the supply pipe from outside and the cable being closely adjacent one to the other and introduced at a location vwhere these do not in any way inter- Iere with the polishing or sanding operation. The tool, as disclosed. includes a eld casing |I gear casing 2, spindle 3, and handle |34, the head end of the tool being for the purposes of the present disclosure treated as like that shown in rig. 5 which may be treated as a section 0I the gear casing 2, in Fig. 13 which is shown as provided with a cap l, secured in any suitable manner as in Fig. b.

In Fig. 13 the liquid supply passages are indicated in broken lines as corresponding with Fig. o, or any other suitable arrangement may be substituted.

The oneillustrated in Fig. 7 is regarded as also suitable to this purpose. The central passage in the spindle 3 is conveniently indicated by reierence character 5', the tube being indicated by reference character 5. The chamber at the upper end of the tube 5 is indicated by reference character e0, the tting which leads to this chamber by reference character 54 and the supply pipe Irom the control in the handle to be further described being indlcated by reference character 55, the details being for convenience treated as identical with the corresponding details of Fig. 5. The control and the details relating thereto are the important features of the modification now being described.

The pipe 5 leads through the spindle 3 to the center of the pad or sanding disc |36 and the supply pipe 55 leads to the chamber 50 at the head of the pipe 5 from the control valve assembly |40.

For convenience of construction, the handle |34, see Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16, is made in two sections |4| and |42, the first of these sections |4I, being the smaller of the two, and, secured to the front side of the second section |42 by screws |43, in holes |43". The section |4| is toward the observer in Fig. 15 and it carries the .valve assembly |40 and the supply pipe or tube 55, particularly the portion thereof which is in the handle. The handle section I4| as shown iits into the main handle |42 at the right of the shoulder |44 being as aforesaid secured by screws |43, the tube 55 enters the handle section I4| which is hollow at the left adjacent the shoulder |44 and extends along the handle section |4| to a point adjacent its rear end where it enters the valve casing or housing |45, which is in the form of a plug inserted in the end of the handle from the right. The tube 55a is threaded into or otherwise secured in a suitable enlargement |46 of the end of the valve passage |41. This valve passage |41 is also enlarged at its right hand end to receive a short section of Neophrane which is a synthetic rubber tubing |48 or other similar compound may be used. This is held in position in any suitable manner being in the form of the invention shown supported at the right by the fitting |49 which is screwed into the outer enlarged end of the'passage |4'I at the right. To this fitting a flexible tube or pipe leading from a suitable source ofl supply oi liquid polish or water under pressure is connected.

There is an opening |50 leading transversely through the plug |45 to the :flexible tube |46 and in this opening is a pin |5| shown as threaded through a plate spring |52 which is mounted in a suitable chamber in the handle section |4| at |53. This plate spring |52 is secured at its left hand end in said chamber. The pin .|5| is threaded through the plate spring |52 projecting into contact with the ilexible tube |46 which leads from the fitting |49 to the valve passage |-41 which terminates at the other end in the tube or pipe 55 leading to the spindle. According to the normal condition, as illustrated in Fig. 16, the pin |5| is advanced by the spring |52 applying suicient pressure to the tube |48 to collapse and close the same effecting a closure of the passage |41 and a discontinuance of the supply of liquid which is led to the fitting |49 from any suitable source of supply under pressure by way of the ilexible pipe as described continuous with and shown at |41, Fig. 13.

' To relieve the pressure applied by the pin |5| to the tube |48 whereby the passage |41 is closed, in the form of the invention illustrated, an operating lever |54 is provided, this lever as shown is pivoted in the section |4| at |55 and the lever |54 extends forwardly to the left in Fig. 16, being at its left hand end provided with a trigger |51 which projects outwardly from a slot |58 formed in the wall of the handle section I|4|.

On the other side of the pivot |55 the lever arm |56 of the lever |54 bears on the corresponding side of the leaf spring |52, i. e., the side toward the tube section |48, between the pin |5| and the area where the spring |52 is secured to the wall of the chamber |53.

It will thus be apparent that by pressure of a finger or thumb of the hand holding the gripping portion |42' of the handle |34 the trigger |51 is depressed, and the spring |52 is deflected and pin |5| is withdrawn suiliciently to permit the tube |48 to open in response to its own tendency to recover and particularly in response to the pressure of the liquid whereby the liquid is passed through the passage |41 to be thereby forced through the supply pipe or tube 55, entering and passing through the tube 5, at the center of the spindle 3 whereby it is discharged at the center of the rotating polishing pad or sanding disc or member |36.

The lead wires |65 by way of which current is supplied to energize the tool motor are located in and extend longitudinally through the handle section |42 being secured in a longitudinally elongated chamber |6| therein, the two sections |4| and |42 of the handle providing two chambers which are separated by the wall |62.

At the outer or right hand end of the handle and the chamber in the section |4| of the handle, we have the pipe tting |49 for the flexible supply pipe |41 from an outside source of liquid under pressure leading to the valve |48. At the corresponding end of the chamber |6| in the section |42, we have a suitable cable or cord protector |64 containing the motor wires |65, the current being controlled by the switch lever |66 which is operated by the opposed push buttons |61 immediately adjacent the casing or inner end of the handle |34. The trigger |51 is also adjacent this end of the handle so that it is conveniently operated by the finger or thumb which operates the switch buttons |61. It is also of interest that the tting |49 with its tube |41, and the cable orprotector |64` enclosing the wires |65 are at `the outer end of the handle so that the cable and the flexible supply pipe enter the handle at adjacent points and do not in any way interfere with the manual support, direction and control of the tool by the hand holding the grip |34.

In describing this construction, Figs. 13 to 15, the tube |41l` and conduit |64 and valve |45, are referred to as at the rear' or outer end oi' the handle and the buttons |61 and trigger |51 at the front end of the handle.

We have thus described specically and in detail a preferred and various modified forms of apparatus embodying the features of the invention in order that the manner of constructing, applying, operating and using the same may be fully understood, however, the specic terms herein are used in a descriptive rather than in a limiting sense, the various constructions shown being capable of considerable modification and change within the spirit of the invent/lon and the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a polishing or sanding tool of the rotary disc type having a motor and spindle transverse to the motor axis, the spindle being hollow, providing a passage for liquid to the center of the disc, a ield casing, a tool handle, which is adapted for use in supporting and directing the tool, the said handle projecting from the casing oppositely to the spindle, a chamber for electric wires extending longitudinally of said handle and a supply pipe for liquid connected to the passage in the spindle, also extending through said handle, a valve controlling the liquid passage in said handle, a switch member for controlling the current to said wires and a trigger with control means to said valve to operate the valve, said l trigger projecting from the handle immediately adjacent said switch member and a ilexible tube leading from an outside source of said liquid under pressure to said handle, an electric cable comprising said Wires being connected to the handle adjacent said flexible tube.

2. In a polishing or sanding tool of the rotary pad type having a motor and an upright spindle, the spindle being hollow providing a passage for liquid to the center of the pad, a casing and a tool handle adapted for use in supporting and directing the tool, and a. supply pipe for liquid to the spindle, connected to said handle, a trigger and cooperating means controlling the passage of liquid through said pipe, a switch member, and operating means therefor for controlling the current to said motor both the trigger and operating means being in iinger operating relation to the handle.

3. In a polishing or sanding tool of the rotary disc type having a motor and an upright spindle, the spindle being hollow providing a passage for liquid to the center of the disc, a. casing and a tool handle adapted for use in supporting and directing the tool, and a supply pipe for liquid to the spindle, connected to said handle, a valve supported in said handle, controlling said pipe and a switch member and operating means for controlling the current to said motor and a trigger controlling the valve, said operating means and trigger both in linger operating relation to the handle and a ilexible tube carrying liquid to said valve from an outside source to said pipe.

4. In a polishing or sanding tool of the rotary disc type having an electric motor and an upright spindle. the spindle being hollow and providing 'a passage for liquid to the center of the disc, and a field casing, a tool handle projecting from the casing and adapted for use in supporting and directing the tool, a supply pipe for liquid to the spindle extending along said han--A dle, a valve controlling the liquid passage, a switch `member for controlling thecurrent to said motor, a trigger with control means to said valve operated by said trigger which projects from the handle immediately adjacent said switch member, the switch member being adjacent the end of the handle which is connected to the field casing, and a flexible tube leading liquid from an outside source connected to the end of the handle remote from the casing.

5. The combination in a polishing tool of the rotary pad type having a hollow spindle on the end of which the pad is mounted, providing a passage through said hollow spindle adapted to supply liquid to the center of the pad, a ileld casing having a motor therein, and a handle for controlling, supporting and directing the tool in the sandingyand polishing operation, projecting from the tool casing, of a pipe, feeding liquid from an outside supply under pressure to said spindle, a valve controlling said pipe, said valve comprising a compressible tube of resilient, rubberlike material and a slidably mounted pin in compressing relation t`o said tube, control means for said valve connected to said pin to operate the same to compress and release said tube opening and closing said valve and a switch controlling current for energizing the motor mounted immediately adjacent to each other and adapted to be operated by a thumb or nger of a hand when holding said handle.

6. In a tool of the type described having an electric motor, a field casing therefor, a switch for said motor, and a hollow spindle with means for securing a rotary pad for polishing or sanding to said spindle to be operated thereby said spindle being adapted for leading polishing .fluid or fluid for use in the wet sanding operation to said pad, a handle projecting from the field casing and adapted for use in controlling and directing the operation of the tool, and supporting it, said handle having a chamber for electric wires to energize the said motor extending longitudinally of said handle and also comprising a chamber for a pipe, said pipe leading the fluid to said spindle and a valve in said handle controlling said pipe, a trigger projecting from the handle and controlling the valve, a switch operating member adjacent said trigger both the trigger and switch being in iinger reach of the hand holding the handle anda flexible tube connected to said pipe and an electric cable both supported at the outer end of said handle remote from the casing.

'7. In a tool 0f the type described having an electric motor, a field casing therefor, a switch for the motor, and a hollow spindle with means for securing a rotary pad for polishing or sanding to said spindle to be operated thereby, means for leading polishing fluid or liquid for use in the wet sanding operation to said hollow spindle, a handle secured to the field casing, said handlel comprising a support for a pipe leading the fluid to said spindle, a valve comprising a flexible tube providing a passage leading to said pipe, resiliently controlled means normally advanced to compress and close said tube and a trigger in said handle in control of the operator for withdrawing said compressing means.

8. The combination in a polishing tool of the rotary pad type having a hollow spindle on the end of which the pad is mounted, providing a passage through said hollow spindle adapted to supply liquid to the center of the pad, a eld casing having a motor therein, a pipe feeding liquid from an outside supply under pressure to said spindle, and a valve controlling said pipe, a handle mounted on the tool casing for controlling, supporting and directing the tool in the sanding and polishing operation and a switch controlling current for energizing the motor, the valve being in the form of a compressible tube through which liquid passes, toward the spindle, the control means for the valve comprising means normally compressing and closing the compressible tube, a lever extending along the handle and a trigger near the forward end of the handle for operating the lever to release the pressure closing the tube, the switch having a control device on the handle in finger reach of the trigger.

9. The combination in a polishing tool of the rotary pad type having a hollow spindle on the end of which the pad is mounted, providing a passage through said hollow spindle adapted to supply liquid to the center of the pad, a field casing having a motor therein, a pipe feeding liquid from an outside supply under pressure to said spindle, and a valve controlling said pipe, a handle for controlling, supporting, and directing the tool in the sanding and polishing operations mounted on the tool casing, and control means for said valve and a switch controlling current for energizing the motor mounted in finger operating relation to the hand holding said handle and adjacent to each other and means for preventing leakage downwardly along the spindle, the valve having a combined packing sleeve and spring of resilient plastic whereby it is pressed against the seat and said valve control means comprising means for withdrawing the valve from its seat at the will of the operator.

1Q. The combination in a polishing tool of the rotary pad type having a hollow spindle on the end of which the pad is mounted, providing a passage through said hollow spindle adapted to supply liquid to the center of the pad, a field casing having a motor therein, a pipe feeding liquid from an outside supply under pressure to said spindle, and a valve controlling said pipe, a handle for controlling, supporting and directing the tool in the sanding and polishing operations mounted on the tool casing, and control means for said valve and a switch controlling current for energizing the motor, the valve control means comprising a lever pivotally mounted and bifurcated adjacent its pivot and the control switch having an operating button between the bifurcations of the lever.

11. The combination in a polishing tool of the rotary pad type having a hollow spindle on the end of which the pad is mounted, providing a passage through said hollow spindle adapted to supply liquid to the center of the pad, a field casing having a motor therein, a pipe feeding liquid from an outside supply under pressure to said spindle, and a valve controlling said pipe, a handle for controlling, supporting and directing the tool in the sanding and polishing operations mounted on the tool casing, and control means for said valve and a switch controlling current for energizing the motor, said valve control means comprising two levers, one on each side of the handle, both said levers being bifurcated and straddling the casing adjacent the handle and each having two pivots for each bifurcation one on each side of the casing, and the switch having an operating button between said levers and adjacent said pivots.

12. The combination in a polishing tool of the rotary pad type having a hollow spindle on the end of which the pad is mounted, providing a passage through said hollow spindle adapted to supply 'liquid to the center of the pad, a field casing having a motor therein, a pipe feeding liquid from an outside supply under pressure to said spindle, and a valve controlling said pipe, a handle for controlling, supporting and directing the tool in the sanding and polishing operations mounted in the tool casing and control means for said valve and a switch controlling current for energizing the motor, said valve control means comprising two levers, one on each side of the handle, and the switch having an operating button between said levers.

13. The combination in' a polishing tool of a rotary pad type having a hollow spindle on the end of which the pad is mounted, providing a passage through said hollow spindle adapted to supply liquid to the center of the pad, a field casing having a motor therein, a pipe feeding liquid from an outside source of supply under pressure to said spindle, and a valve means controlling said pipe, a handle for controlling, supporting and directing the tool in the sanding and polishing operation mounted on the tool casing, and a switch and operating means therefor controlling current for energizing the motor, and a rocking lever controlling said valve means, both said lever and operating means being immediately adjacent said handle and adjacent to each other to be operated, by a thumb or nger of the hand holding said handle.

14. The combination in a polishing tool of the rotary pad type having a hollow spindle on the end of which the pad is mounted, providing a passage through said hollow spindle adapted to supply liquid to the center of the pad, a eld casing having a motor therein, a motor switch, a pipe feeding liquid from an outside supply under pressure to said spindle, and a valve controlling said pipe, a handle for controlling, supporting and directing the tool in the sanding and polishing operations projecting from the tool casing and control means for said valve and switch immediately adjacent said handle to be operated by a thumb or nger of the hand holding said handle, the handle having parallel elongated chambers extending along the handle for the wires and for the pipe respectively both the pipe and the wires also leading from outside sources to the outer end of the handle.

15. The combination in a polishing tool of the rotary pad type, having a hollow spindle on the end of which the pad is mounted providing a passage through said hollow spindle adapted to supply liquid to the pad, a motor casing havlng an electric motor therein with its axis transverse to the spindle and extending outwardly therefrom and a handle for controlling, supporting and directing the tool connected to the end of the motor casing remote from the spindle and extending outwardly in the general di-.

rection of the motor axis; a pipe feeding liquid from an outside supply under pressure to said spindle, a valve controlling said pipe and comprising a tubular resilient portion of rubberlike material, said valve comprising a reciprocatable member engaging said resilient portion to compress and release the same in the operation of the valve, control means for said valve including a lever pivoted immediately adjacent said handle and having a short arm connected to said reciprocatable member to operate the same to compress and release the resilient member, opening and closing the valve and a long arm within the control of the hand holding said handle, and an arm controlling electric current for energizing the motor immediately adjacent the hand lever.

16. In a polishing tool of the rotary pad type, having a hollow spindle on which the pad is mounted providing a passage for liquid through said hollow, a pipe feeding liquid from an outside supply under pressure to said spindle, a valve controlling said pipe and comprising a tubular resilient portion of rubberlike material and a reciprocal member engaging said resilient portion to compress and release the same in the operation of the valve, control means for said valve including a lever connected to said reciprocal member to operate the same to compress and release the resilient member, opening and closing the valve, said lever having an operating arm within the control of the hand holding said handle and a switch controlling electric current fo renergizing the tool, said switch being immediately adjacent the hand lever and the tool comprising an electric motor by which it is driven.

JAMES NELSON BAKER. GLENN C. WILHIDE. 

